NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN
NVIDIA graphics card specifications and benchmark scores
At a Glance
NVIDIANVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Specifications
GeForce GTX TITAN GPU Core
Shader units and compute resources
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN GPU core specifications define its raw processing power for graphics and compute workloads. Shading units (also called CUDA cores, stream processors, or execution units depending on manufacturer) handle the parallel calculations required for rendering. TMUs (Texture Mapping Units) process texture data, while ROPs (Render Output Units) handle final pixel output. Higher shader counts generally translate to better GPU benchmark performance, especially in demanding games and 3D applications.
GTX TITAN Clock Speeds
GPU and memory frequencies
Clock speeds directly impact the GeForce GTX TITAN's performance in GPU benchmarks and real-world gaming. The base clock represents the minimum guaranteed frequency, while the boost clock indicates peak performance under optimal thermal conditions. Memory clock speed affects texture loading and frame buffer operations. The GeForce GTX TITAN by NVIDIA dynamically adjusts frequencies based on workload, temperature, and power limits to maximize performance while maintaining stability.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX TITAN Memory
VRAM capacity and bandwidth
VRAM (Video RAM) is dedicated memory for storing textures, frame buffers, and shader data. The GeForce GTX TITAN's memory capacity determines how well it handles high-resolution textures and multiple displays. Memory bandwidth, measured in GB/s, affects how quickly data moves between the GPU and VRAM. Higher bandwidth improves performance in memory-intensive scenarios like 4K gaming. The memory bus width and type (GDDR6, GDDR6X, HBM) significantly influence overall GPU benchmark scores.
GeForce GTX TITAN by NVIDIA Cache
On-chip cache hierarchy
On-chip cache provides ultra-fast data access for the GTX TITAN, reducing the need to fetch data from slower VRAM. L1 and L2 caches store frequently accessed data close to the compute units. AMD's Infinity Cache (L3) dramatically increases effective bandwidth, improving GPU benchmark performance without requiring wider memory buses. Larger cache sizes help maintain high frame rates in memory-bound scenarios and reduce power consumption by minimizing VRAM accesses.
GTX TITAN Theoretical Performance
Compute and fill rates
Theoretical performance metrics provide a baseline for comparing the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN against other graphics cards. FP32 (single-precision) performance, measured in TFLOPS, indicates compute capability for gaming and general GPU workloads. FP64 (double-precision) matters for scientific computing. Pixel and texture fill rates determine how quickly the GPU can render complex scenes. While real-world GPU benchmark results depend on many factors, these specifications help predict relative performance levels.
Kepler Architecture & Process
Manufacturing and design details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN is built on NVIDIA's Kepler architecture, which defines how the GPU processes graphics and compute workloads. The manufacturing process node affects power efficiency, thermal characteristics, and maximum clock speeds. Smaller process nodes pack more transistors into the same die area, enabling higher performance per watt. Understanding the architecture helps predict how the GTX TITAN will perform in GPU benchmarks compared to previous generations.
NVIDIA's GeForce GTX TITAN Power & Thermal
TDP and power requirements
Power specifications for the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN determine PSU requirements and thermal management needs. TDP (Thermal Design Power) indicates the heat output under typical loads, guiding cooler selection. Power connector requirements ensure adequate power delivery for stable operation during demanding GPU benchmarks. The suggested PSU wattage accounts for the entire system, not just the graphics card. Efficient power delivery enables the GeForce GTX TITAN to maintain boost clocks without throttling.
GeForce GTX TITAN by NVIDIA Physical & Connectivity
Dimensions and outputs
Physical dimensions of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN are critical for case compatibility. Card length, height, and slot width determine whether it fits in your chassis. The PCIe interface version affects bandwidth for communication with the CPU. Display outputs define monitor connectivity options, with modern cards supporting multiple high-resolution displays simultaneously. Verify these specifications against your case and motherboard before purchasing to ensure a proper fit.
NVIDIA API Support
Graphics and compute APIs
API support determines which games and applications can fully utilize the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN. DirectX 12 Ultimate enables advanced features like ray tracing and variable rate shading. Vulkan provides cross-platform graphics capabilities with low-level hardware access. OpenGL remains important for professional applications and older games. CUDA (NVIDIA) and OpenCL enable GPU compute for video editing, 3D rendering, and scientific applications. Higher API versions unlock newer graphical features in GPU benchmarks and games.
GeForce GTX TITAN Product Information
Release and pricing details
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN is manufactured by NVIDIA as part of their graphics card lineup. Release date and launch pricing provide context for comparing GPU benchmark results with competing products from the same era. Understanding the product lifecycle helps evaluate whether the GeForce GTX TITAN by NVIDIA represents good value at current market prices. Predecessor and successor information aids in tracking generational improvements and planning future upgrades.
GeForce GTX TITAN Benchmark Scores
geekbench_metalSource
Geekbench Metal tests GPU compute using Apple's Metal API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN performs in macOS and iOS applications that leverage GPU acceleration. Metal provides low-overhead access to Apple silicon GPUs. Creative applications on Mac heavily utilize Metal for rendering and video processing.
geekbench_openclSource
Geekbench OpenCL tests GPU compute performance using the cross-platform OpenCL API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN handles parallel computing tasks like video encoding and scientific simulations. OpenCL is widely supported across different GPU vendors and platforms.
geekbench_vulkanSource
Geekbench Vulkan tests GPU compute using the modern low-overhead Vulkan API. This shows how NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN performs with next-generation graphics and compute workloads. Vulkan offers better CPU efficiency than older APIs like OpenGL. Modern games and applications increasingly use Vulkan for cross-platform GPU acceleration.
About NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN
The NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN, launched on February 18, 2013, was the first card to carry the TITAN name, built on the GK110 chip with the Kepler architecture. Fabricated on TSMC's 28 nm process, it packs 7,080 million transistors into a 561 mm² die, yielding a transistor density of 12.6M per mm². Its average benchmark score of 19,706 places it in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs, a testament to its enduring compute performance. The launch MSRP was 999 USD.
Benchmark Performance
The GTX TITAN's average score of 19,706 positions it remarkably close to modern mid-range cards. The data shows a near-tie with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070, which scores 19,680—a delta of just 0.1% in favor of the TITAN. Meanwhile, the RTX 2060 SUPER scores 19,774, edging out the TITAN by 0.3%. This means a 2013 flagship still trades blows with 2019-era GPUs in raw compute benchmarks, a remarkable feat given the seven-year gap in release cycles.
In professional segments, the TITAN leads the Quadro K5200 (19,623) by 0.4% and the Tesla K40m (19,519) by a more substantial 1%. These deltas, while small, highlight the GK110's computational efficiency in workstation-class tasks. The specific Geekbench results further illustrate its strengths: a Metal score of 8,176, an OpenCL score of 24,570, and a Vulkan score of 26,372. The Vulkan score being the highest suggests the Kepler architecture benefits from modern API drivers, even years after launch, while the Metal score lags—likely a reflection of the card's lack of modern hardware features.
Underlying these scores are the card's raw specifications: 2,688 shading units, 224 texture mapping units, and 48 ROPs. The pixel rate is 49.06 GPixel/s, and the texture rate is 196.2 GTexel/s. Peak FP32 compute reaches 4.709 TFLOPS. These figures explain why the TITAN remains competitive—its massive shader array and high memory bandwidth (288.4 GB/s over a 384-bit bus) allow it to sustain heavy workloads without bottlenecking. The 6 GB of GDDR5 memory, clocked at 1502 MHz (6 Gbps effective), is ample for high-resolution textures and compute buffers.
Who Should Consider It
Given its end-of-life production status, the GTX TITAN is not a new purchase recommendation. However, for users with legacy systems or specific compute needs, the benchmark results indicate it still holds up. The 6 GB of GDDR5 memory is substantial for high-resolution texture packs, and the 384-bit bus provides the bandwidth necessary for 4K texture streaming. The 62nd percentile ranking means it outperforms the majority of GPUs in the database, making it viable for 1440p gaming at high settings or 4K gaming at medium settings, depending on the title's optimization.
The card's compute performance (4.709 TFLOPS FP32) is its primary strength. Users running OpenCL or Vulkan workloads will find the scores (24,570 and 26,372 respectively) competitive with modern cards, though the Metal score of 8,176 is comparatively weak—limiting its appeal on macOS or Metal-based applications. For pure rasterization, it is a capable performer, but the absence of modern features—no RT cores or tensor cores—means it cannot accelerate ray tracing or AI-based upscaling. The DirectX 12 implementation is limited to feature level 11_0, which may cause compatibility issues with the latest game engines that require DirectX 12 Ultimate features like mesh shaders or variable rate shading.
Ray Tracing and Feature Set
The FACT PACK explicitly lists no RT cores and no tensor cores for the GTX TITAN. Consequently, hardware-accelerated ray tracing is entirely absent—a critical limitation for modern titles that rely on DXR or Vulkan ray tracing extensions. Similarly, without tensor cores, features like DLSS are unsupported. The card's API support includes DirectX 12 (11_0), OpenGL 4.6, and Vulkan 1.2.175. The DirectX 12 implementation is limited to the 11_0 feature level, meaning it lacks the full DirectX 12 feature set found on newer architectures.
Display connectivity is also dated: 2x DVI, 1x HDMI 1.4a, and 1x DisplayPort 1.2. These outputs cap refresh rates and resolutions—HDMI 1.4a is limited to 4K at 30 Hz, while DisplayPort 1.2 supports 4K at 60 Hz. For multi-monitor setups or high-refresh-rate displays, these connectors are insufficient. The card does support OpenGL 4.6 and Vulkan 1.2.175, ensuring compatibility with modern compute and graphics APIs, but the hardware itself is a Kepler relic. Its 28 nm process node, while efficient for its time, cannot match the power efficiency of newer nodes.
FAQ
Q: What is the launch MSRP of the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN?
A: The launch MSRP is 999 USD.
Q: Does the GTX TITAN support hardware ray tracing?
A: No. The FACT PACK lists no RT cores, so hardware ray tracing is not supported.
Q: What is the memory configuration of the GTX TITAN?
A: It features 6 GB of GDDR5 memory on a 384-bit bus, delivering 288.4 GB/s of bandwidth.
Q: What power supply is recommended for the GTX TITAN?
A: The suggested PSU is 600 W, and the card requires 1x 6-pin and 1x 8-pin power connectors.
Q: What is the transistor count and die size of the GK110 chip?
A: The GK110 chip contains 7,080 million transistors on a 561 mm² die, manufactured on a 28 nm process.
Q: What is the average benchmark score and percentile of the GTX TITAN?
A: Its average benchmark score is 19,706, placing it in the 62nd percentile of all GPUs.
Power and Cooling
The GTX TITAN has a TDP of 250 W, which is substantial for a 2013 card but manageable with a quality power supply. The suggested PSU rating is 600 W, and the card draws power through a single 6-pin and a single 8-pin connector. This dual-connector requirement is typical for high-end GPUs of its era, ensuring stable power delivery under load.
Cooling is handled by a dual-slot design, measuring 267 mm in length (10.5 inches), 111 mm in height (4.4 inches), and 38 mm in width (1.5 inches). The dual-slot cooler is sufficient for the 250 W TDP, but the card's length may require careful case selection. The 28 nm process and the dense 7,080 million transistor layout generate significant heat, so proper airflow is essential. The card is end-of-life, meaning replacement coolers are scarce, but the data indicates that the reference cooler was adequate for its power envelope. For users integrating this card into a modern system, verifying case clearance and PSU connectors is crucial, as the 600 W recommendation assumes a typical system configuration without extreme overclocking or additional high-power components.
The AMD Equivalent of GeForce GTX TITAN
Looking for a similar graphics card from AMD? The AMD Radeon RX 480 offers comparable performance and features in the AMD lineup.
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